Richardson will be paid through August 2009

Ex-superintendent, board legally prevented from disparaging, suing one another

August 17, 2007 - 6:35PM

By BEAU YARBROUGH

Staff Writer

Former Hesperia Unified School District Superintendent Hank Richardson will be on the district's payroll for two more years, earning an annual salary of $165,525, plus benefits, even after the school board finds a replacement for him.

But don't expect former Richardson or board members to frankly discuss why they parted ways any time soon: The terms of Richardson's settlement and release agreement prevent either party from making disparaging or derogatory remarks about one another. They are also barred from taking legal action against each other, even if new information regarding the situation is later discovered.

The terms of the settlement agreement, signed by Richardson on July 31 and approved by the board at their August 7 meeting, keep him on administrative leave through February 13, 2008. The board originally placed him on leave on July 16 and he reportedly cleaned out his office at the end of the month.

While on leave, Richardson "will make himself available to district personnel by telephone to assist in the transition of a new superintendent, and further agrees to make himself available to district personnel to assist in responding to claims made by third parties or entities against the district," the settlement agreement reads in part.

But for the 18 months following that, until August 14, 2009, Richardson will continue to collect his paycheck, minus some perks, like the use of a district car and cell phone, but "shall have no further obligation to perform the duties and functions of superintendent."

And finally, the school board is required to provide a letter of recommendation for Richardson, on district letterhead and signed by all five board members.

Beau Yarbrough can be reached at 956-7108 or at beau@hesperiastar.com.

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Reader's comments

your hunting our IP ADRESSES? what kind of people are you? it said on your own little thing The contiuning adventures of Beau Yarbrough that your paper is looking for IP addresses WE HAVE A RIGHT TO OUR PRIVACY LIKE YOU DO, AND NOW WE ARE BEING HUNTED DOWN LIKE ANIMALS? We alos have a right to our opinons and freedon of the truth and speech this is a free forum. this whole thing stinks. What are you people doing trying to ruin our lives too? The schools are bad enoungh but to do this is just wrong to decive us and hunt us you all have alot of nerve.
whats this - Sep 12, 2007 11:45:29 AM	Remove Comment


When you believe something is wrong it is your job as a parent to show your kids that you are willing to stand up for what is right.
JeB - Aug 21, 2007 01:26:08 PM	Remove Comment


I cannot believe the waste of money some one should call the state or Washington or the president. We just should all call and say we are not in agreement with what is going on. Remember children can read and not being nice is not ok. I think spelling does not count towards stating an opinion and it is our job to always set the example for the children.
eve - Aug 21, 2007 10:21:54 AM	Remove Comment


Mesa Academy. Which is still open, even after I called Bray on it. My son at the time was going to be bused to Mesa Academy from Mesquite Trails. After looking into it, I figured out he would not have even been in class the legal amount of time. Loomis who is completely worthless, had the nerve to tell me otherwise. After the story was on the front page of the Daily Press, Bray wanted to meet with me. They hired a teacher for Mesquite Trails and removed all the books and supplies from a classroom to move Mesquite Trails kids back to the proper school AND provide them the legal amount of class time. Bray and Richardson may not have been perfect, but at least we had a sup to start the school year.
JeB - Aug 20, 2007 06:03:40 AM	Remove Comment


Here are the evil deeds former HUSD leadership committed. Implement strategies to help students, empower teachers to provide early intervention for struggling students, raise test scores across the district even at the secondary levels and lower socioeconomic schools, creating the ExCEL institute having HUSD teachers training schools all over the country bringing in income used to purchase resources for our teachers and students, create a police force to help keep our kids safe,as opposed to hiring a resource officer that is only available part time, automatic pass through of Cost of Living Allowances to employees, negotiated in most districts, to keep the teachers salaries competetive with surrounding districts, see Daily Press a few months ago showing HUSD teachers salaries toward the top. Oh, those evil doers Bray and Richardson!
Evil? - Aug 19, 2007 10:29:01 AM	Remove Comment


To the rambling person two posts ago. Look up the definition of "contract." It might explain things to you.
Well - Aug 19, 2007 09:05:13 AM	Remove Comment


This is great. Now instead of paying to see a show at the Comedy Store or some other venue, I can just check in here and crack up at whoever it is that keeps writing these crazy ramblings with all the incorrect spelling and no capitals or punctuation. It's frighteningly hilarious!
HTR - Aug 19, 2007 07:18:19 AM	Remove Comment


RIPOFF! Tthey dont deserve a dime when your fired thats it your out without aaything now we are paying Bray And HANK/ whats wrong with this picture when a empolyee is acadentelly over paid they garnish tere wages til it hurts so badly they can bearly live but when these guys are fired they get paid. is just not worth working anymore in any job that has crooks in it, there board is supposed to be volenteeres not paid and they want a raise now what next for us tax payers to but there kids a house and new cars/ you bunch of sick crooks get out you worse that I thought and we have to wait to have you all removed and some of the brown nosers have the nerve to praise Minton and anyone else of the board members Yuck.
it all a - Aug 19, 2007 06:59:02 AM	Remove Comment


Gee, I wonder whose idea it was to ask for a raise. Here goes another 3-2 vote. These three are pathetic! KIDS FIRST?
wondering - Aug 18, 2007 05:54:01 PM	Remove Comment


On Mondays board meeting the board will also be voting a raise for themselves. Interesting!
A raise for the Board - Aug 18, 2007 03:22:20 PM	Remove Comment


Sad, please give ONE example of an "evil" deed on the part of either Richardson or Bray. You and your unionites throw words like that around all the time, but I have yet to see ONE example. So go ahead. You have your forum. What is the "evilness" that you refer to? We eagerly await your response.
HUSD Employee - Aug 18, 2007 02:05:09 PM	Remove Comment


To Sad, you are right, something really bad is going on, it's called three board members who were bought, sold and paid for by the local teacehers union. Oh, and thanks for the idea of calling the state board of education I am going to do just that Monday, regarding the three. Somebody should be informed of their actions.
Concerned Parent - Aug 18, 2007 08:49:43 AM	Remove Comment


What a crime. There is something really ugly going on here to waste the money. Both parties have done something horrible and someone has to be called to the carpet. This type of fiscal waste is reprehensible and the state board of education needs to be notified and intervene. Make the SOB scrape more gum. I KNOW for a fact Hank and his old cronies DBray were involved in some evil things in the past but boy can he and his old boy network cover it up. All the money AND a letter of recommendation. There is really something bad going on, on the part of everyone involved.
Sad - Aug 18, 2007 07:22:18 AM	Remove Comment


I find it ridiculous beyond belief that a superintendent who in the board president's words had done nothing wrong could be dimissed in such a wasteful and unnecessary way. Another 3-2 vote, with Mr. Minton and Helen Rogers on the side of reason. Perhaps the success of the recall and hopefully a few resignations of the new board members will stop these untrained folk from further ruining Hesperia's schools.
Buckley - Aug 17, 2007 10:38:17 PM	Remove Comment

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